The first game of the FIDE World Cup final between Magnus Carlsen, left, and R Praggnanandhaa finished in a draw ©FIDE/Maria Emelianova

World number one Magnus Carlsen has revealed that he overcame a bout of food poisoning to draw the first game of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) Open World Cup final here.

The Norwegian and 18-year-old Indian prodigy Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa split a point after a game which went to 35 moves and lasted three hours.

After his semi-final victory over Azerbaijan's Nijat Abasov, Carlsen told how he had contracted food poisoning which affected his preparation.

Magnus Carlsen revealed he had been suffering from food poisoning for the last two days ©FIDE/Maria Emelianova
Magnus Carlsen revealed he had been suffering from food poisoning for the last two days ©FIDE/Maria Emelianova

"I got some food poisoning, I havn’t been able to eat for the last two days so this also meant that I was really calm because I had no energy, so I had didn’t have any energy to be nervous with, but overall I am happy with the way I solved the problems," Carlsen said. 

Carlsen is set to play as white when the match resumes tomorrow.

"It'll be a fight," Praggnanandhaa said.

"He'll definitely push very hard. 

"I'll try to rest and come fresh, I think that's the best I can do."

Meanwhile, in the third place play-off, there was delight for Abasov who defeated American Fabiano Caruana who resigned after 26 moves.

Play continues in both matches tomorrow.